Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Tampa Not Too Tired to Stifle Flyers, 3-1; Forsberg Wrap

They're a mediocre team, they can beat bad teams but against the good ones more often than not will come up short.

So basically, they'll be too good to have a a realistic shot at the top pick (or top 2/3) but not good enough to make it into the playoffs.

Which is worse case scenario.

Why you guys Heff to be so Bad?

Whenever this team makes a turnover, it turns into a glorious scoring chance. It's unreal.

They get into "frantic" mode too often. Like with loose pucks in front of the net, or on the pk, or even just 5 on 5 after the opponent starts cycling- they panic in the defensive zone far too often and far too quickly.

That Simmonds tripping call was a joke. Should have been a dive. Pathetic.

Even more pathetic is the trip on Raffl that was ignored by the refs right at center ice. What the (frank) was that.

The only sustained pressure before the pp goal in the first was that 40 second sequence where Jake assisted 3 A+ scoring chances in the first period. Unacceptable.

The Stamkos goal was infuriating. Let's just have both dmen watch and follow the puck carrier, ignoring a trailing Stamkos. Good plan.

It's amazing how many times the 2 guys on the top of the pk end up in a straight line. Why do you think teams tear apart the Flyers pk with cross ice passes? Spoiler alert: because the top 2 guys don't form a box at for at least one sequence each kill, and instead form this: |--

G smacked in the back of the head with a stick. No call. Shocking.

If Rinaldo makes that hit on Drouin as opposed to the other way around, Rinaldo gets a 5 minute major at least.

Laughton. Silky mits. Continues to impress...that unit had a decent game, along with the top line.

Coots continues his good play. Read however....not so much.

Vasilefski or however the (frank) you spell it made some ridiculous saves against the Flyers in his first NHL game. Shocking.

Puck hits the ref in the corner and leads to the EN goal. I hope Jake said mean things to him.

The 3rd period was respectable. The random defensive gaffes are just....it's ridiculous. They'll be playing well for about 5-7 minutes, then someone like Kucherov will be awarded the blue line for free, and will jump around our D 1 on 2 like they're children and get a good shot off. That right there is the biggest problem with this team. Consistency. They'll play well, and then all of a sudden, for one shift, someone or a few players will play the game like they've never played before, and the other team will score, or get a great chance to build momentum off of. I don't get it.

Wait. I do get it. It's because our d corps is laughably anemic. Never mind.

I fully expect a loss against the Panthers solely because they're from Florida.

Whenever this team makes a turnover, it turns into a glorious scoring chance. It's unreal.

They get into "frantic" mode too often. Like with loose pucks in front of the net, or on the pk, or even just 5 on 5 after the opponent starts cycling- they panic in the defensive zone far too often and far too quickly.

That Simmonds tripping call was a joke. Should have been a dive. Pathetic.

Even more pathetic is the trip on Raffl that was ignored by the refs right at center ice. What the (frank) was that.

The only sustained pressure before the pp goal in the first was that 40 second sequence where Jake assisted 3 A+ scoring chances in the first period. Unacceptable.

The Stamkos goal was infuriating. Let's just have both dmen watch and follow the puck carrier, ignoring a trailing Stamkos. Good plan.

It's amazing how many times the 2 guys on the top of the pk end up in a straight line. Why do you think teams tear apart the Flyers pk with cross ice passes? Spoiler alert: because the top 2 guys don't form a box at for at least one sequence each kill, and instead form this: |--

G smacked in the back of the head with a stick. No call. Shocking.

If Rinaldo makes that hit on Drouin as opposed to the other way around, Rinaldo gets a 5 minute major at least.

Laughton. Silky mits. Continues to impress...that unit had a decent game, along with the top line.

Coots continues his good play. Read however....not so much.

Vasilefski or however the (frank) you spell it made some ridiculous saves against the Flyers in his first NHL game. Shocking.

Puck hits the ref in the corner and leads to the EN goal. I hope Jake said mean things to him.

The 3rd period was respectable. The random defensive gaffes are just....it's ridiculous. They'll be playing well for about 5-7 minutes, then someone like Kucherov will be awarded the blue line for free, and will jump around our D 1 on 2 like they're children and get a good shot off. That right there is the biggest problem with this team. Consistency. They'll play well, and then all of a sudden, for one shift, someone or a few players will play the game like they've never played before, and the other team will score, or get a great chance to build momentum off of. I don't get it.

Wait. I do get it. It's because our d corps is laughably anemic. Never mind.

I fully expect a loss against the Panthers solely because they're from Florida.
- Giroux_Is_God

can certainly tell that someone's finals are over. sheesh!

They're a mediocre team, they can beat bad teams but against the good ones more often than not will come up short.

So basically, they'll be too good to have a a realistic shot at the top pick (or top 2/3) but not good enough to make it into the playoffs.

Which is worse case scenario.
- Yosimar89

That is what we call Leaf Land

Enjoy limbo

They're a mediocre team, they can beat bad teams but against the good ones more often than not will come up short.

So basically, they'll be too good to have a a realistic shot at the top pick (or top 2/3) but not good enough to make it into the playoffs.just

Which is worse case scenario.
- Yosimar89

That's when you sell some vets and take your lashes.

can certainly tell that someone's finals are over. sheesh!
- stayinthefnnet

And that someone's home with DVR

Whenever this team makes a turnover, it turns into a glorious scoring chance. It's unreal.

They get into "frantic" mode too often. Like with loose pucks in front of the net, or on the pk, or even just 5 on 5 after the opponent starts cycling- they panic in the defensive zone far too often and far too quickly.

That Simmonds tripping call was a joke. Should have been a dive. Pathetic.

Even more pathetic is the trip on Raffl that was ignored by the refs right at center ice. What the (frank) was that.

The only sustained pressure before the pp goal in the first was that 40 second sequence where Jake assisted 3 A+ scoring chances in the first period. Unacceptable.

The Stamkos goal was infuriating. Let's just have both dmen watch and follow the puck carrier, ignoring a trailing Stamkos. Good plan.

It's amazing how many times the 2 guys on the top of the pk end up in a straight line. Why do you think teams tear apart the Flyers pk with cross ice passes? Spoiler alert: because the top 2 guys don't form a box at for at least one sequence each kill, and instead form this: |--

G smacked in the back of the head with a stick. No call. Shocking.

If Rinaldo makes that hit on Drouin as opposed to the other way around, Rinaldo gets a 5 minute major at least.

Laughton. Silky mits. Continues to impress...that unit had a decent game, along with the top line.

Coots continues his good play. Read however....not so much.

Vasilefski or however the (frank) you spell it made some ridiculous saves against the Flyers in his first NHL game. Shocking.

Puck hits the ref in the corner and leads to the EN goal. I hope Jake said mean things to him.

The 3rd period was respectable. The random defensive gaffes are just....it's ridiculous. They'll be playing well for about 5-7 minutes, then someone like Kucherov will be awarded the blue line for free, and will jump around our D 1 on 2 like they're children and get a good shot off. That right there is the biggest problem with this team. Consistency. They'll play well, and then all of a sudden, for one shift, someone or a few players will play the game like they've never played before, and the other team will score, or get a great chance to build momentum off of. I don't get it.

Wait. I do get it. It's because our d corps is laughably anemic. Never mind.

I fully expect a loss against the Panthers solely because they're from Florida.
- Giroux_Is_God

this. yeah, pretty much this.

Here's my issue with Tim P.

His question to Mase was this, verbatim, from what was televised:

"...what I'm trying to say is, it seems like the Flyers had a lot of flat play in the second period."

That "question" can only be asked for the sole reason, in my opinion, of goading a player into saying something that can be twisted and mangled into weLL LOOK STEVE MASON JUST SAID THE FLYERS PLAYED FLAT AND HE'S THROWING HIS OFFENSE UNDER THE BUS DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA

No reason to phrase it like that. You phrase interview questions objectively. Want his take? Then ask for it objectively. "What did you think of the team's play in the middle stanza?"

(frank)in ratface. He looks like my gf's ex too. So naturally, he is punchable.

The worst part is, after Florida, the Flyers have 8 games on the road...and they stink on the road so far this season.

Panthers picked up 2 points - 20 round shootout!

And Columbus picked up 2.

Carolina got beat again, so there's that.

Here's my issue with Tim P.

His question to Mase was this, verbatim, from what was televised:

"...what I'm trying to say is, it seems like the Flyers had a lot of flat play in the second period."

That "question" is asked for the sole reason of goading a player into saying something that can be twisted and mangled into weLL LOOK STEVE MASON JUST SAID THE FLYERS PLAYED FLAT AND HE'S THROWING HIS OFFENSE UNDER THE BUS DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA
- Giroux_Is_God

I forget who it was now, but a reporter asked a player a similar question as above and the player replied "is there a question there?" To me, that's the only response when these (frank)ing tools who call themselves journalists make statements they think are posing as questions.

And that someone's home with DVR
- Giroux_Is_God

Don't do it. Don't rewatch any of it. Erase. Erase!

I forget who it was now, but a reporter asked a player a similar question as above and the player replied "is there a question there?" To me, that's the only response when these (frank)ing tools who call themselves journalists make statements they think are posing as questions.
- wolfhounds

Yup. I edited my post up there too.

I'll just say it again, abridged: as a journalist, you ask questions objectively. If Tim wanted Mason's take on the 2nd period, he should ask "What did you think of the team's second period play?"

Don't do it. Don't rewatch any of it. Erase. Erase!
- wolfhounds

I have to watch. I'm mainly apathetic at this point (that is, I just smile and chuckle after losses instead of throwing things), but I have to watch. I'm still a fan of this team.

The worst part is, after Florida, the Flyers have 8 games on the road...and they stink on the road so far this season.

Panthers picked up 2 points - 20 round shootout!

And Columbus picked up 2.

Carolina got beat again, so there's that.


- wolfhounds

i just sat and watched the whole shootout. it was like 19 minutes and change.

jesus. orpik scored in it. never thought id ever see that.

tank, tank, tank, tank, taaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnk!

i just sat and watched the whole shootout. it was like 19 minutes and change.

jesus. orpik scored in it. never thought id ever see that.
- stayinthefnnet

Orpik? That's crazy.

tank, tank, tank, tank, taaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnk!
- hammarby31

Wait, not sure what you're saying here...

Orpik? That's crazy.
- wolfhounds

yeah. he was in the 17th or 18th round or so. not exactly the coach's first selection to trot out there im sure.

first time i can ever recall it going so long that the lineup actually got turned over and guys got to go twice.

it was cool getting to see some guys that typically would never get a chance to do it. some had surprising hands/moves, others just said (frank) it and just ripped a slapper from 20 feet.

yeah. he was in the 17th or 18th round or so. not exactly the coach's first selection to trot out there im sure.

first time i can ever recall it going so long that the lineup actually got turned over and guys got to go twice.

it was cool getting to see some guys that typically would never get a chance to do it. some had surprising hands/moves, others just said (frank) it and just ripped a slapper from 20 feet.
- stayinthefnnet

this is why the shootout is (frank)ing stoopid.

yeah. he was in the 17th or 18th round or so. not exactly the coach's first selection to trot out there im sure.

first time i can ever recall it going so long that the lineup actually got turned over and guys got to go twice.

it was cool getting to see some guys that typically would never get a chance to do it. some had surprising hands/moves, others just said (frank) it and just ripped a slapper from 20 feet.
- stayinthefnnet

Obviously I haven't seen it yet. Did the guys look like they were having fun, those who never get to shoot, or was it all points and serious business?

this is why the shootout is (frank)ing stoopid.
- hammarby31

3v3 is calling.

Obviously I haven't seen it yet. Did the guys look like they were having fun, those who never get to shoot, or was it all points and serious business?
- wolfhounds

half and half.

the goalies, especially, did not seem to be enjoying themselves. you can tell they were getting tired. especially towards the end, a few of the goals that got by them were fairly weak.

for a lot of guys, it was their first attempt in their career. karl alzner basically just shrugged and shook his head after his slap shot was stopped. but by and large, it seemed to be pretty serious on the part of the shooters.

this is why the shootout is (frank)ing stoopid.
- hammarby31

i cant lie. when i think about it logically, and compare it to other sports, it doesnt really hold water as to its legitimacy. i would never want it in the playoffs, even if its the one thing fleury is actually good at in high pressure situations.

but as a fan, i still cant shake the notion that i find it beyond entertaining. i just sat through 20 minutes of it, to award the extra point to the florida panthers in a game in which i really have no ties. and it was worth it to me.

i wouldnt be opposed to a period of 3 on 3 before it though.